A traditional water softener adds sodium ions to water as a way of removing calcium and magnesium deposits--two components that make your water "hard"--from your water. Magnetic softeners, meanwhile, run the water through a magnetic field, which does not change the actual properties of the water. For people who cannot have excess sodium in their diet, magnetic softeners are an option worth considering.

On the Other: Not completely reliable

Magnetic softeners are still new technology, meaning a few kinks need to be worked out. According to AskTheBuilder.com, magnetic softeners tend to work well in large industrial buildings because the softeners can be carefully installed and programmed specifically to the building's pipe quality, water pressure and flow rates along with the water's chemical composition. For consumer homes, however, unless the softener is made to account for such variables, it may not work. The only way to make sure the softener works in your home is to consult someone who works at the company who is making the softener.

Bottom Line

A traditional water softener is the safer and easier way to go if your diet can stand the extra sodium added to soften your water. However, if that's not a possibility, you will have to consult a water softener professional to make sure a certain magnetic softener can work in your home before you purchase it.

Source:

Ask The Builder

Chem1.com